Liechtenstein
Principality of Liechtenstein
Population
40K
GDP
$7.2B
Capital
Vaduz
Government
Unitary parliamentary consti...
At a Glance
Human Development
0.9
HDI (0-1)
Democracy
8.0
EIU (0-10)
Press Freedom
—
RSF score
Corruption
—
TI CPI (0-100)
Innovation
—
GII score
Happiness
—
WHR (0-10)
Liechtenstein is one of the world's smallest states, a doubly landlocked microstate between Switzerland and Austria with fewer than 40,000 inhabitants. Despite its size, it maintains a highly developed economy centered on financial services, precision manufacturing, and ceramics.
Liechtenstein joined the UN in 1990 and has carved out a distinctive niche in international affairs by focusing on the rule of law, international criminal justice, and the self-determination of small states. It played a notably active role in drafting the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court.
The principality is closely integrated with Switzerland through a customs union and uses the Swiss franc. It is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) but not the EU, giving it access to the single market while retaining sovereignty over its financial services sector.
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As Liechtenstein, demonstrate that small states can shape international norms. Focus on the rule of law, international criminal justice, and human rights -- areas where your country has genuine expertise and influence.
Coordinate with Switzerland and Austria on regional matters, and with other small states (Monaco, San Marino, Andorra) to form microstate coalitions. In larger debates, align with the EU consensus via your EEA membership.
Champion the ICC, anti-trafficking initiatives, and the rights of small states in multilateral institutions. Your financial sector expertise gives you credibility on anti-money laundering and illicit finance topics. Avoid overreaching on security or military issues where microstates have limited standing.
Foreign Policy
Liechtenstein focuses its foreign policy on areas where a microstate can have outsized impact: international criminal justice, the rule of law, human rights, and self-determination. It is a consistent champion of the ICC and has led initiatives on the crime of aggression.
The country maintains close ties with Switzerland and Austria while engaging internationally through the EEA, EFTA, the Council of Europe, and the UN. Liechtenstein has launched the Liechtenstein Initiative on finance against slavery and trafficking, demonstrating its focus on using financial sector expertise for humanitarian ends.